Average
#3080 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 36% in state
Mary E Smithey Pace H S
High School · DUNCANVILLE ISD
502 E FREEMAN ST, Duncanville, TX 75116
Enrollment
87
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
87
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Duncanville
#1 of 15
public schools
Texas high schools
#734 of 1,699
In district
#1 of 17
DUNCANVILLE ISD
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Mary E Smithey Pace H S
Mary E Smithey Pace High School serves 87 students in grades 9-12 as an alternative education option in Duncanville, Texas. This specialized high school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 9.7 to 1 with 9 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly individualized attention and support that alternative education students often need to succeed. The school has earned recognition for its effectiveness, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking #480 out of 8,598 schools statewide, placing it in the 94th percentile among Texas schools.
This strong performance demonstrates the school's success in serving students who may not thrive in traditional educational settings. Mary E Smithey Pace High School is located on East Freeman Street in a community where the median household income is $57,245 and median home value is $192,300. The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 20,145 residents, with 19% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 9.3%.
The school operates within Duncanville's large suburban setting, providing an alternative pathway to graduation for students who benefit from a smaller, more personalized educational environment.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 87 students, Mary E Smithey Pace H S is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Mary E Smithey Pace H S are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, Mary E Smithey Pace H S offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Mary E Smithey Pace H S — Students at Mary E Smithey Pace H S score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.
How Mary E Smithey Pace H S Compares
See how Mary E Smithey Pace H S performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 10% (2021).
Location
502 E FREEMAN ST, Duncanville, TX 75116
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mary E Smithey Pace H S may also want to explore other high schools in the area. QUEST CAMPUS PRE-K THRU 8 (rated 6.8/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Dallas), with a very similar rating. Another option is J HERMAN REED MIDDLE (rated 6.5/10, 0.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, H BOB DANIEL SR INT (rated 6.1/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Duncanville, see our Duncanville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GLENN C HARDIN INT Duncanville | 0.1 mi | 4.8 |
| J HERMAN REED MIDDLE Duncanville | 0.2 mi | 6.5 |
| CENTRAL EL Duncanville | 0.3 mi | 3.5 |
| MERRIFIELD EL Duncanville | 0.5 mi | 4.7 |
| FIRST METHODIST SCHOOL Duncanville | 0.6 mi | — |
| FAIRMEADOWS EL Duncanville | 1.1 mi | 4.0 |
| WILLIAM LEE HASTINGS EL Duncanville | 1.2 mi | 3.3 |
| VILLAGE TECH SCHOOLS Duncanville | 1.6 mi | 3.6 |
| KIPP DESTINY EL Dallas | 1.5 mi | 4.1 |
| KIPP DESTINY MIDDLE Dallas | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| UME PREPARATORY ACADEMY - DUNCANVILLE Duncanville | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| BROWNS EARLY DISCOVERY SCHOOL Duncanville | 1.7 mi | — |
| GRACE R BRANDENBURG INT Duncanville | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| DUNCANVILLE H S Duncanville | 1.8 mi | 4.5 |
| JAMES R BILHARTZ JR EL Dallas | 1.9 mi | 4.7 |
| WILLIAM H BYRD MIDDLE Duncanville | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| H BOB DANIEL SR INT Duncanville | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| S GUS ALEXANDER JR EL Duncanville | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| CLINT Q SMITH EL Duncanville | 1.9 mi | 3.7 |
| QUEST CAMPUS PRE-K THRU 8 Dallas | 2.2 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 75116 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,835
Median Home Value
$220,100
Median Rent
$1,400/mo
Population
19,780
College Educated
16.8%
Homeownership
59.4%
Avg Commute
25.4 min
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Median Age
35.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mary E Smithey Pace H S has a median household income of $60,835. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,100, with a median rent of $1,400/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALVIN V ANDERSON RISE ACADEMY Tyler, TX | 6.9 |
| BOYS RANCH H S Boys Ranch, TX | 6.9 |
| BRAZOS RIVER CHARTER SCHOOL Nemo, TX | 6.9 |
| CLEAR PATH ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL Webster, TX | 6.9 |
| COLLEGE VIEW H S College Station, TX | 6.9 |
| MANARA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Irving, TX | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mary E Smithey Pace H S
What grades does Mary E Smithey Pace H S serve?
Mary E Smithey Pace H S serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Mary E Smithey Pace H S?
Mary E Smithey Pace H S has an enrollment of approximately 87 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mary E Smithey Pace H S?
The student-teacher ratio at Mary E Smithey Pace H S is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mary E Smithey Pace H S rank in TX?
Mary E Smithey Pace H S is ranked #3080 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Mary E Smithey Pace H S's MySchoolScout rating?
Mary E Smithey Pace H S has a composite rating of 6.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Mary E Smithey Pace H S?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mary E Smithey Pace H S has 17.5% math proficiency and 7.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mary E Smithey Pace H S a charter school?
No, Mary E Smithey Pace H S is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mary E Smithey Pace H S a Title I school?
No, Mary E Smithey Pace H S is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mary E Smithey Pace H S?
81.6% of students at Mary E Smithey Pace H S qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,589/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Duncanville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 87
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.6%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Dallas County
- Phone
- (972) 708-2470
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DUNCANVILLE ISD- District Enrollment
- 11,761
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,244
- District Rank
- #1 of 17
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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- Best Schools in Dallas, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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